Grassroots Acoustica show to pay tribute to producer Ed Tree

MODERN FOLK ARTIST Dudley Saunders will join over a dozen musical acts in a tribute concert for veteran American music producer Ed Tree at the Talking Stick Coffee Lounge in Venice Jan. 12.

Los Angeles-based modern folk artist Dudley Saunders will participate in a tribute concert for veteran American music producer Ed Tree, “One Degree to Ed Tree,” from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Talking Stick Coffee Lounge, 1411 C Lincoln Blvd., Venice.
The concert is in its sixth year of production courtesy of Grassroots Acoustica and celebrates the work of Tree, known for his work as a musician and producer for award-winning acts like Rita Coolidge, the Spencer Davis Group, and local independents like David Serby.
Saunders recently released his fourth independent record, “Monsters,” which he recorded with Tree at his South Pasadena studio. Frequently compared to Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell, Saunders combines harshly poetic lyrics with unusually complex folk melodies, said event spokesperson Margo Drgos.
“Ed is primarily known for his work in the Americana and the roots world, so when he took on an experimental-alternative folkie like me, he actually ended up handling my notoriously ‘weird’ music better than all of my previous uber-hip producers combined,” said Saunders.
The event will feature over a dozen acts, including notables such as Lisa O’Kane, David Serby, Mark Islam, Severin Browne (Jackson Browne’s brother), and percussionist Debra Dobkin (The Eagles, Bonnie Raitt).
The five-year-old songwriter showcase Grassroots Acoustica meets on the second Saturday of every month at the Talking Stick. There is never a cover charge and it operates as a non-profit. The organization has raised over $56,000 in voluntary contributions supporting education, arts, social services, medical research and animal rescue organizations to date, event organizers say.